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It is important to manage the disease so that your quality of life and everyday activities aren’t affected.
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with arthritis or noticed that your symptoms have worsened, you may be wondering the best way to manage the condition. Since arthritis can affect joint mobility, it is important to manage the disease so that your quality of life and everyday activities aren’t affected by the symptoms of pain and inflammation. Defined as the inflammation of the joints, there are several different types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis involves the wear and tear of joints, and gender, age, and genetics can be contributing factors in its development. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack the lining of the joints, causing inflammation. Arthritis can also be related to trauma, such as fractures or joint dislocations. Obesity can also be a contributing factor to the development of arthritis. If you have recently experienced worsening symptoms such as pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, or a decreased range of motion, you should work with your doctor to come up with a plan to better manage your arthritis.
Lifestyle Changes
Talk to your doctor about the ways you can reduce inflammation. Your doctor may suggest losing weight, which can help take stress off the joints. They may also make suggestions of ways you can improve your diet to make sure you are getting all of the necessary vitamins and minerals that promote good health and lower inflammation. Your doctor may also talk to you about your stress levels since high levels of stress can have an impact on arthritis pain.
Staying Active
In addition to managing your weight and other lifestyle changes, you may want to talk to your doctor about what activity level would work best for you. Exercise can help you strengthen the muscles around the joints, help control your weight, improve your balance, and help you maintain bone strength. Talk to your doctor about adding exercise to your treatment plan and what types of exercise may be right for you. To protect your joints during and after exercising you can try low impact workouts such as swimming or stationary biking, and ice or heat any affected joints after your workouts. Pay attention to how your joints feel during exercise and take a break if needed. Talk to your doctor if you notice an increase in pain during activity.
Protecting Your Joints
Talk to your doctor about physical therapy options, which can help you improve your mobility, increase your strength, and help preserve your ability to perform daily activities. A physical therapist can teach you how to move safely and effectively and how to avoid adding additional stress on your joints. Ask your doctor or physical therapist about all the ways you can avoid putting additional stress on your joints. In addition to exercise, this can include making changes to everyday movements and activities. They may also have recommendations about changes you can make to your home in order to better protect your joints in the long term. This can include using reachers, installing handrails, installing specific types of door handles, and using other assistive devices. Protecting your joints and taking a proactive approach to managing your arthritis can help you maintain your independence and improve your overall health.
If you're experiencing tingling, numbness, or weakness in your limbs, it could be a sign of nerve compression. Fortunately, there are effective treatments and therapies available to manage these conditions.
If you're experiencing tingling, numbness, or weakness in your limbs, it could be a sign of nerve compression. Fortunately, there are effective treatments and therapies available to manage these conditions.
If you're experiencing tingling, numbness, or weakness in your limbs, it could be a sign of nerve compression. Fortunately, there are effective treatments and therapies available to manage these conditions.
If you're experiencing tingling, numbness, or weakness in your limbs, it could be a sign of nerve compression. Fortunately, there are effective treatments and therapies available to manage these conditions.
